The inquiry commission formed to look into the enforced disappearances carried out by members of the law enforcement forces and agencies has stated its activities by issuing a public appeal for providing detail information to the commission on missing persons, urging victims, families, or witnesses of enforced disappearances.
In another development, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Thursday forwarded a list of 64 victims of enforced disappearances to the newly established five-member commission, directing it to take necessary action.
At the same time, the commission in a public notice undersigned by Md Bulbul Hossain, additional district judge and an official attached to the commission inviting victims, families, relatives, or witnesses of enforced disappearances to submit complaints either in person, via email, or through the hotline. Complaints can be filed between 10:00am and 4:00pm on working days from September 15 to September 30.
The interim government had on August 27 formed an inquiry commission headed by retired High Court judge Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury to investigate the incidents of enforced disappearances allegedly carried out by law enforcement agencies during the Awami League government's 15 years of rule.
The other members of the commission are former additional High Court judge M Farid Ahmed Shibli, human rights activists Nur Khan and Sazzad Hossain, and BRAC University professor Nabila Idris.
In its public notice, the commission said that each complainant must provide detailed information, including the date, time, and location of the disappearance, as well as the names, addresses, and contact details of the victims and their families. The complainant's relationship with the victim must also be specified.
Additionally, complainants are required to name the individuals or agencies suspected to be involved, along with their addresses. The commission's office is located at 96, Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka.
Complaints can also be filed by scheduling in-person appointments through the hotline from 10:30am to 4:00pm on working days.
The Supreme Court administration handed over a memorandum to the commission, which contains the names, photos and addresses of 64 persons, who were forcibly disappeared by the law enforcement agencies at different times, for taking necessary steps.
The memorandum signed by Md Bellal Hossain, chief coordinator of Gum Paribarer Sodosso (Family members of disappeared persons) was given to Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed through SC registrar general on August 28.
In the memorandum, the family members of the victims stressed several demands, including initiating trials for those involved in enforced disappearances under the International Crimes Tribunal, ensuring compensation for victims' families, providing free legal aid, and issuing certificates to facilitate the transfer or sale of the victims' properties.
According to human rights group Odhikar report, at least 402 people were victims of enforced disappearance from 2009 to 2017 under the Awami League administration.
According to Ain o Salish Kendra report, from 2014 to July 2019, a total of 344 people were victims of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh. Out of them 40 were found dead, 66 were found under arrest in government custody and 203 still remain missing.
Those who have reappeared remained silent about the period they were missing.
